IRNA/ Iran diplomat says Russia-West tension leading to economic war

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association)- Iranian former ambassador to Ukraine said on Saturday that tension between Moscow and the Western governments over developments in eastern Ukraine have grown into a full-blown economic war.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with IRNA, Akbar Qassemi said: “We are witnessing a new Cold War between the Kremlin and the Western governments in which Russia is using gas as a means of pressure and Brussels and Washington, on the other hand, have started attempts to undermine the Russian currency, ruble.

Referring to Russia’s recent measures to create closer ties with the BRICS (an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), Qassemi said Moscow is trying to create new financial and monetary systems within the framework of BRICS Development Bank with the aim of weakening the existing system dominated by the Europe and the United States.

In order to achieve their goal, the Russians are making use of the potential of national currencies of BRICS member states that account for half of the world’s economy, Qassemi said.

Qassemi, an expert on international affairs, said that he believes Iran has to operate in line with national interest in light of the current situation and potentials of the international cooperation.